Facilities Operations & Management (FOPS), AAS

The Facilities Operations & Management program prepares graduates for a career in managing the complex, networked buildings and facilities that are part of the modern built environment. Graduates gain expertise in building systems and operations, stakeholder relationships and communications, preventative and predictive maintenance, and project management. This approach is designed so graduates are able to pursue a variety of career paths in the facility management industry, including asset management, technologies that interconnect building safety and security for the well being of occupants, and management of energy and space. Every building is different and requires a unique set of skills to manage the property. Dunwoody’s coursework focuses on a broad spectrum of topics in operations, property maintenance, electrical and mechanical systems, environmental health, and facilities management. Integrated throughout the curriculum is the concept of “Smart Buildings”—how to collect information from building systems, make decisions based on data, and best deploy resources. The Dunwoody campus is used as a living laboratory where students gain real experience in developing awareness and applying best practices to new, existing, and historic building systems and grounds. Environmental sustainability is woven throughout all of the classes so students apply sustainable concepts to all areas of the facility management industry. Students learn to use a variety of software programs, including computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS), REVIT and SketchUp for computer-aided design, integrated workforce management systems (IWMS), and building monitoring systems which provide intelligent data for implementing sustainable solutions. In their first semester, students earn their OSHA30 General Industry card, EPA Section 608 certification, and are prepared to sit for the Minnesota Special Engineers license (boiler exam). Students are also prepared in further semesters to pursue additional certifications such as the International Facility Management Association’s Facility Management Professional (FMP) certification, Professional Facility Management Institute’s ProFM credential, or Building Owners & Managers Institute (BOMI) International’s Facilities Management Administrator (FMA) designation. Dunwoody’s program has been designed consistent with the International Facilities Management Association’s (IFMA) Facilities Management Accreditation Commission (FMAC) associate degree program standards and is planning to seek program accreditation.

The following sample academic plan demonstrates how a student's schedule might look on a semester-by-semester basis, including elective courses. Your actual degree plan may differ from this sequence, depending on whether you start in the fall or spring semester, what transfer credits you may have (if any), and which Arts & Sciences courses and electives you take and when you take them.

The sample academic plan is for informational purposes only. To determine your academic plan, please meet with an academic advisor.

Descriptions

Introduction to the academic and classroom culture. Develop a proficiency in communication skills including research, oral presentation, writing, and collaboration.

ARCH1104 | Building Systems | Lecture (3 Credits)

Examine primary building systems and their associative materials and assemblies. With a focus on current building systems, analyze existing buildings through photography, physical tours, and diagrammatic drawing to achieve a broad knowledge of primary structural systems.

FMGT1000 | Introduction to Facilities | Lecture (2 Credits)

Aspects of the facilities management industry are presented using interviews with practicing professionals, site tours, textbook studies and exploratory reflections to illustrate the many opportunities available as a professional.

FMGT1300 | Occupational Safety & Health | Lecture (2 Credits)

Examine the principles of facility safety and identify health hazards based on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 1910 General Industry Standards and MNOSHA Laws and Rules. Emphasis is on hazard identification, avoidance, and control and prevention to develop strategies to prevent injuries to workers, occupants, and guests. Students successfully completing 30 hours of designated training topics receive an OSHA 30 General Industry card.

FMGT1400 | Facility Programming & Design | Lec/Lab (3 Credits)

Techniques for analyzing design program requirements and optimizing space. Develop plans that satisfy programmatic needs and use space efficiently. Examine building codes, fire safety, and barrier-free designs as essential components of laying out a workable interior space. Practice basic drafting techniques on current industry software.

FMGT1700 | Special Engineer License Prep | Seminar (1 Credit)

Prepare to pass the Minnesota Special Engineer's license exam. Introduction to both high and low pressure boilers used in steam and hot water heating, high-pressure, high temperature hot water boilers used in heating or process installations, and small mechanical-drive steam turbines. Topics include boiler functions, operations, safety, controls, hot water systems, steam systems, and the identification of boiler fittings. MN Statute 326B.972 requires an individual operating a boiler, steam engine, or steam turbine to hold a license for the grade covering that boiler, steam engine, or steam turbine. Also, preparation for the EPA?s Section 608 Technician Certification allowing them to work with and handle refrigerants in common air conditioners and HVAC units. The EPA 608 Technician Certification is required by Section 608 of the Federal Clean Air Act for anyone who maintains, services, repairs, or disposes of equipment that could release ozone depleting refrigerants into the atmosphere.

ARCH1204 | Structure & Envelope | Lecture (3 Credits)

Introduction to aspects of building assemblies relative to their energy performance, moisture control, durability, and resource efficiency. Research multiple existing buildings through various means to achieve a broad knowledge of varying strategies for the building structure and envelope.

FMGT1100 | Building Operations | Lec/Lab (3 Credits)

Represent the organization?s brand experience by providing various services for occupants. Interconnected systems and processes such as shipping and receiving, key management, property grounds, storage strategies, safety, housekeeping standards of care, food service, and waste management are paramount to meet the expectations of guests, tenants, owners, and users.

FMGT1200 | MEP Systems: Electrical | Lec/Lab (3 Credits)

Explore electrical theories for a foundational understanding of how an electrical system interacts with a building. Laboratory exercises emphasize troubleshooting processes for electrical circuits and systems. Learn how a facilities team safely maintains and monitors a building?s electrical system.

ARCH2104 | Building Service Systems | Lecture (3 Credits)

Introduction to the principles of embodied energy, active and passive heating and cooling, indoor air quality, solar orientation, day lighting, artificial lighting and acoustics. Research multiple existing buildings through various means to achieve a broad knowledge of varying environmental systems.

FMGT2100 | Property Maintenance | Lec/Lab (3 Credits)

Best practices for efficient and effective triage of maintenance and other occupant requests through work orders. Planning for prescriptive and predictive maintenance of systems. Sustainable solutions and asset management. Laboratory exercises emphasize using and managing related tools and resources for various assets and systems.

FMGT2110 | MEP Systems: HVAC&R | Lec/Lab (3 Credits)

Explore mechanical theories for a foundational understanding of heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration systems. Learn the role of HVAC systems in various types of buildings and the key characteristics that enable effective HVAC system functionality. Laboratory experiments and exercises emphasize troubleshooting processes for HVAC&R systems. Learn how a facilities technician safety maintains a building?s HVAC&R equipment and components and monitors the system.

Introduction to the basic principles and appropriate application and performance of building service systems such as plumbing, electrical, conveying systems, security, and fire protection systems. Research multiple existing buildings through various means to achieve a broad knowledge of varying building service systems.

FMGT2210 | Smart Buildings I | Lec/Lab (3 Credits)

Explore how we advance the productivity and safety of occupants while improving the operational efficiency of buildings through intelligent, integrated green building technologies. Introduction to a number of systems associated with building automation, energy management, and connectivity to global systems. Laboratory exercises focus on building management systems and interconnected components. Emphasis is on sustainable outcomes by decreasing the carbon footprint of a building.

Prepare to pass the Minnesota Second Class Engineer license exam. Review of low pressure boilers used in steam and hot water heating. Topics include MN license requirements, inspections, documentation, boiler functions, operations, safety, controls, feedwater systems, and the identification of boiler fittings. MN Statute 326B.972 requires an individual operating a boiler, steam engine, or steam turbine to hold a license for the grade covering that boiler, steam engine, or steam turbine. Students must have 1 year of licensed experience to sit for the exam.

Presentation and examination of topics in facilities operations and management selected to develop a deeper awareness of current trends, issues, and emerging technologies. Supplemented by readings, discussions and papers.

Introduction to the international aspects of architecture, engineering, and construction industries. Emphasis on inter-cultural communication, cultural intelligence, and globalization of technology. Four traditional classroom sessions (held before travel) include lectures, seminar discussions, case studies, participatory activities, and guest speaker presentations. Coursework during travel is primarily experiential based and includes fieldwork, group projects and community based service-learning. Travel expenses are incurred by the student.

COMM1150 | Interpersonal Communication | Lecture (3 Credits)

Analyze the process of interpersonal communication as a dynamic and complex system of interactions. Integrate interpersonal communication theory into work, family and social relationships. Apply fundamental tools needed to provide quality customer service. Decision making, problem solving, and managing customer service processes are emphasized.

General Education: Communications

MATH1050 | Algebra, Trigonometry & Geometry | Lecture (3 Credits)

Principles of algebra, geometry and trigonometry used in the context of a technical setting. Problem-solving strategies are developed and applied to technology.

General Education: Mathematics

HUMN2400 | Ethics | Lecture (2 Credits)

The development of ethical standards as related to the individual, government, business, and society. Current legislation is examined from the perspective of its moral and ethical roots with considerations and standards influencing personal and business decisions.

General Education: Diversity

HUMN3600 | Critical & Creative Thinking | Lecture (3 Credits)

Explore how critical thinking and creativity intersect through various theories to solve diverse, complex or abstract problems.